. >> reporter: the u.s. stored supply of oil called the strategic petroleum reserve contains 72-- 727 million barrels, enough to keep nation powered for a couple of months. those who want oil released from the reserves now say it would calm spiking gas prices so an economic recovery isn't threatened. after hurricane katrina, 30 million barrelses were released. oil prices dropped 3.7%. during the first gulf war, 34 million barrels were released and in one day prices dropped 33.4%. but some economists say the oil reserves should be saved for a true emergency and this isn't it. >> i think it's premature to open up the strategic petroleum reserve. i don't think it's going it to make a big difference with respect to prices. and i think at this point we can digest these prices. >> reporter: maybe so, but it doesn't go down easy. >> as a students's kind of tough to be able to pay the bills and pay these kind of gas prices. >> reporter: right now the average price of gas is still 61 cents below the record set in jul